Financial Constraints Sideline Nigeria From ITTF Africa Team Events

Posted : 18 October 2026

Nigeria’s absence from the men’s and women’s team events at the 2026 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Championships has dealt a blow to the country’s continental ambitions, with financial constraints blamed for the setback.

The championship serves off in Tangier, Morocco, on Sunday and runs until October 25, bringing together 14 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams in the battle for continental honours and qualification opportunities for the 2027 ITTF World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Nigeria’s failure to participate in the West African qualifiers in Conakry, Guinea, from July 15 to 18 denied the country places in both team competitions.

Nigeria Table Tennis Federation President, Adesoji Tayo, attributed the development to financial difficulties and high airfares, which prevented the federation from raising the funds needed to send players to the qualifying tournament.

Despite missing out on the team events, Nigeria will retain a presence in Tangier through its representatives in the individual competitions.

Former African champion Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo secured their places through the ITTF World Rankings, while Matthew Kuti and Sultan Agunbiade received wildcards following their performances at the African Youth Championships in Accra.

In the women’s category, Fatimo Bello and Sukurat Aiyelabegan qualified through the rankings, while Kabirat Ayoola, Favour Ojo and Aziza Sezuo earned wildcard entries.

The Nigerian contingent will therefore seek individual honours in singles, doubles and mixed doubles as the country attempts to salvage a positive outcome from the continental championship.

Defending champions Egypt enter the tournament as the top seeds in both team competitions, with Algeria, Tunisia and hosts Morocco expected to provide strong opposition.

In the men’s event, Egypt headline Group A alongside South Africa and Togo. Algeria lead Group B, which also features Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tunisia head Group C alongside Madagascar, the Republic of Congo and Rwanda, while Morocco lead Group D, which includes Angola, Sudan and Uganda.

The women’s competition features three groups. Egypt will face Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group A, while Algeria meet Madagascar, Botswana and Senegal in Group B.

Group C comprises South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia and hosts Morocco, setting up a competitive contest among established African table tennis nations.

Egypt will seek to defend its titles, while Algeria and Tunisia aim to challenge for continental supremacy. Morocco will also hope to use home advantage to mount a serious challenge.

For Nigeria, however, the focus will be on the individual events, where its players must carry the country’s hopes after financial difficulties shut the door on participation in the team competitions.

Financial Constraints Sideline Nigeria From ITTF Africa Team Events

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics